EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney dedicated three F-35 Lightning II aircraft models to its employees during a ceremony at its main Connecticut plant yesterday. Congressmen John Larson, Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy along with East Hartford Mayor Marcia LeClerc congratulated Pratt & Whitney employees on the 10th anniversary of the F-35 program (F-35 system, design and development contract award). Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: [ UTX ]) company.

Congressman John Larson said, "It is a tremendous source of pride to represent UTC and Pratt & Whitney in the U.S. Congress. Your workforce is using unmatched technology, unmatched skills to put together these products [F135 engines]."

When talking about the U.S. armed services' efforts in Libya, Congressman Joe Courtney said, "Our U.S. servicemen/women having vertical landing capability [via the short takeoff /vertical landing, STOVL variant] is crucial. The Harrier jets, used by our Marine Corps pilots today, are on their last legs. That is why it's critical that all three of these F-35 fighter variants survive the budget battle, specifically the F-35B STOVL variant."

The Pratt & Whitney F135 is in the air and in production. Pratt & Whitney has delivered all 18 F135 flight test engines required for the program as well as 32 production engines. The F135 has powered all flight tests - more than 1,290 flights, 1,900 hours and 270 vertical landings.

Pratt & Whitney President Dave Hess said, "Every Pratt & Whitney employee gets special satisfaction from this F-35 model, because it's one fighter with three variants and just one engine. That is a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the only engine needed for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter."

Pratt & Whitney is the sole provider of fifth-generation propulsion systems and has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver this advanced fighter engine capability to the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and our allies. The F135 is derived from proven technology of the Pratt & Whitney F119 that powers the operational F-22 Raptor, and it has been enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology demonstration programs.

East Hartford Connecticut Mayor LeClerc said, "East Hartford and Pratt & Whitney have been partners for generations. With the long success of the F135/F-35 program, along with growth in new and expanded programs, our partnership will continue for generations to come. I applaud Pratt & Whitney on the 10th anniversary of the contract and look forward to their continued successes."

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

Stephanie Duvall
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines
860-557-1382
[ stephanie.duvall@pw.utc.com ]

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney

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Pratt & Whitney Dedicates F-35 Lightning II Aircraft Models to Employees at Conn. Facility

Pratt & Whitney Dedicates F-35 Lightning II Aircraft Models to Employees at Conn. Facility

East Hartford Connecticut Mayor Marcia LeClerc and United States Congressmen John Larson, Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy Recognized Pratt & Whitney's F135 Engine Team on the 10th Anniversary of the F-35 Contract Award